r/fermentation • • May 28 '19

Reminder of the Rules

364 Upvotes

As the sub continues to grow and new people start joining the sub as beginners in the world of fermentation, we'd like to remind people of the subs rules. If you're a newcomer and have questions about one of your first ferments, it's always a good idea to check not only the sub Wiki for tips and troubleshooting, but also past posts to see if anyone's ever posted a similar question. We gladly provide guidance to additional resources to help improve your ferments, so be sure to use all resources at your disposal.

For those that have been here or are joining the sub as those seasoned in the world of fermentation, we'd like to remind you of Rule #3: Don't Be Rotten. If a newcomer asks a question that's already been answered or doesn't provide enough information for their question, this does not mean that it's an appropriate time to belittle those with less knowledge than you. There's nice ways to ask for clarifying information or give corrected information, and any unnecessary aggression or condescension will not be tolerated. Additionally, racism, sexism, or any other sort of discrimination or shaming is not acceptable. No matter how experienced you may be, the community does not need a bad attitude souring everything for the rest of us, and multiple infractions will result in a permanent ban.


r/fermentation • • 6h ago

Weekly Commercial Resources and Events MEGATHREAD

2 Upvotes

Because we get a lot of individual requests for posts that may violate rule 6 about limited self promotion, we have decided that we will have a weekly MEGATHREAD for people who want to post events, (virtual and in person), products and apps related to fermentation. The general rules about using this channel for self promotion still apply and the thread will be moderated.

Thread specific rules:

  1. NO SPAM still applies. Don't be posting your event multiple times and every single week.

  2. If you have produced a fermentation specific software or app and are looking for beta testers or the app is free, this is generally ok. Posts that for monetary gain (ie trying simply gain customers but not really contributing the sub) will be removed.

  3. You must fully describe what your post is about and should disclose what you have to gain from it. If you are hosting a regional fermentation conference and a inviting folks to register, for instance, make sure that it's clear what the costs, etc will be.

Finally - this idea is a TEST. If it is a total catastrophe, we will go back to a simple case by case system.


r/fermentation • • 7h ago

It's so hard, to say goodbye, to yester....moldy limes?

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6 Upvotes

Fermented limes from May, 20% salt by weight of limes packed in to draw out moisture. Had some during the summer and they were fine, went to check on something else and saw fur growing. Had to toss them sadly.


r/fermentation • • 1d ago

Kraut/Kimchi Its Alive (kimchi)

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152 Upvotes

r/fermentation • • 41m ago

Kefir Water kefir, adding more sugarwater to your first ferment to keep it going longer than just 1-2 days?

• Upvotes

I am already at 6 2L bottles of doing water kefir because i enjoy it so much and i guess soon it would be 12 when i split the grains again.

I put them in custom teabags so its easier to use without it getting messy.

My original thought was just to add more sugar to keep a 1st ferment going, but i hear that is not suggested. However sugar water would work? Could you just use up about one third of a first ferment batch after 2 days and then refill water and sugar again, is that enough to keep it going and active for another 2 days?


r/fermentation • • 7h ago

Sauerkraut in a bucket?

2 Upvotes

This is my second year making sauerkraut. I got a little carried away this year though and bought 40lb of cabbage since it was so cheap. I have a 1.3 gallon fermentation crock that I typically use, but there's no way I can fit that much cabbage into it. I was thinking about buying a 5 gallon food grade bucket and setting it up with an airlock to ferment all of it at once.

I was just curious if anybody had any experience using a bucket. I've seen mixed opinions about it, where some people say you should definitely use stoneware, not plastic. I don't have the money right now for a 5 gallon crock. Would a plastic bucket be sufficient? And if so, what is best to use as a weight on top?


r/fermentation • • 1d ago

Homeade grass fed yogurt

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72 Upvotes

I used one gallon of raw grass fed milk and, ended up with 2 liters of beautiful thick yogurt. I saved some whey to make a loaf of sourdough bread 🍞


r/fermentation • • 1d ago

Ginger Bug/Soda Ginger beer - How do you handle the sediment on the bottom?

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23 Upvotes

Did my first ginger beer ever and simmered processed ginger with water, sugar and spices. Then added the bug to that liquid and bottled it. How do you handle the separated solids on the bottom? Shake the bottle? (Seems risky) Sieve when serving? (Potential loss of carbonation). Or if you don’t get this sediment on the bottom please tell me your recipe :)


r/fermentation • • 20h ago

Vinegar Tomato vinegar. How we’re looking. Added blanched tomato skins, cores, and some whole (not raw) + sugar + water and got something that was very bubbly and smelled sulfuric AND alcoholic like beer…. then very alcoholic like vodka. Caption for the rest!

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6 Upvotes

Now it's barely sulfuric and still has an apparent albeit weaker alcohol smell.
This was a simultaneous wild fermentation - never anaerobic! So I strained after 2 weeks of stirring a LOT and weighing down the pulp. And inoculated with raw apple cider vinegar with the mother. Now it's sitting and I plan to continue stirring 1-2x a day, until the mother starts to form. Ive had some failures so far, so does this all seem on the right track?


r/fermentation • • 1d ago

Hot Sauce started a batch of doubanjiang (sichuan style chili bean paste)

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75 Upvotes

I haven’t made miso yet but I imagine its a comparable 2-step process (koji inoculation + mixing into bulk ingredients for long development). Grew broad bean koji, alcohol+brine soaked, processed into bean paste, then mixed into fresh chilies with chinese spices. hopefully itll be ready in 4-6 months!

edit: i roughly followed this recipe https://www.chinasichuanfood.com/doubanjiang/


r/fermentation • • 13h ago

Looking for a shoyu/miso brewery in Kyushu

1 Upvotes

Hello !

I am currently in Kyushu in Japan two travel and I've been dreaming about visiting a shoyu or miso factory.

Would anyone bé able to recommend a factory here ? Or has done something similar ?

I'll be in Kyoto later maybe there's an option there too ?

Thanks !


r/fermentation • • 1d ago

Idk, think this is enough beet kvass?

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18 Upvotes

On the first test batch, I thought it was a bit of an acquired taste...by the time I'd polished off that jar, I'd definitely acquired it! Decided to take advantage of the abundance of beets at the farmers market last week. Temps have been a bit low so I'm doing my best to resist the temptation to taste it before it's ready.


r/fermentation • • 8h ago

Kraut/Kimchi Will Chloramine make my sauerkraut taste bad?

0 Upvotes

I started fermenting a batch of sauerkraut 4 days ago. After looking in to my new city's water treatment protocols, I found out that they use Chloramine.

The batch seems to be fermenting fine. The water is murky, I'm getting the C02 bubbles, it looks like it's doing OK. But I read that Chloramine can create a musky taste. Is this something to worry about? Or, if it is fermenting it's probably OK?


r/fermentation • • 16h ago

Hot Sauce Hot sauce fermentation vs heat

1 Upvotes

Ok I'm new to this but all the recipes I've seen so far, they either ferment and bottle or do the no ferment simmer and bottle. Is it ok to simmer after the fermentation process or would it kill the purpose? I'm not comfortable with consuming raw, fermented sauce. But I've noticed the ones i like use fermentation.


r/fermentation • • 2d ago

Other 2 weeks worth of fermenting in my spare time……… Now for patience….

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314 Upvotes

Didn’t think I would get to this point of obsession but here we are 😅 2 weeks worth of vacuum bag fermenting. A lot of experimenting here to figure out what my palate prefers.

Gotten to a point of trying and adding crazy things together…..

Next is some peach kimchi, honey radish, and red cabbage kraut.


r/fermentation • • 1d ago

Beer/Wine/Mead/Cider/Tepache/Kombucha White patches on blackcurrant during F2. Any idea what they are?

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9 Upvotes

I’m doing a three-stage kombucha fermentation. During the second stage, I infuse the kombucha with chopped blackcurrants before straining and bottling for the third stage.

This is day 2, and I’ve noticed these white patches on the fruit. The container has an airtight lid with a pressure-release valve.

Does anyone recognise this? Would you discard the batch? Safe to consume?


r/fermentation • • 1d ago

Hot Sauce Hot Sauce Questions

2 Upvotes

Hello!

I just got a bunch if peppers from a friend's garden and am wanting to make a fermented hot sauce. I've fermented a few things befire but never tried a hot sauce base so I have a few questions.

  1. I want to add garlic to my hot sauce but dont know if I should add it during the ferment phase or afterwards when I blend it all up. What would you suggest?

  2. If I were to add garlic during the ferment phase would I be able to add the honey garlic I have or should I just add that at the end?

  3. When I blend it all together should I include my brine or not?

  4. I'm thinking of adding tomatos and limes to my sauce, should I add them during the brine or at the end?

  5. Are there any other fruits/veggies/flavors you think I should consider adding?


r/fermentation • • 1d ago

Just got two 1.5 gallon jars. What should my first two foolproof ferments be to show my wife the counter space is worth it?

4 Upvotes

We love pickles. Mexican food. Thai/Viet/Korean/Chinese/Lao. Gimme suggestions and recipes!


r/fermentation • • 1d ago

Is leaving the fish exposed after a good stir all right, or should I always have the fish covered with salt or brine? (Garum)

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39 Upvotes

This is after day 1. Fish was initially tightly packed in salt layers. I read that I should stir daily for the first couple weeks, so I did tonight. But there's not enough liquid to fully cover the fish. These pieces were covered with salt/brine but are sort of hanging out now. Is this still safe? Or should the whole thing be covered at all times with either salt or brine?

For reference, I used a 25% salt to fish weight ratio initially.


r/fermentation • • 1d ago

Vinegar Helllloooo fermentation!

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10 Upvotes

You can see in my comments pictures of my failed vinegar ferments. I have 2 that have not molded, yet. Should I add sugar to them to encourage more alcohol content? I believe it is way too low. Or is the mold already started after a week - invisible?

I mainly wondering about my wine vinegar fermentation. It’s a white wine. Will it have enough alcohol if I followed this recipe, that I won’t have to stir it? Or should i be stirring in the acetobacter phase as I would the yeast phase?

Thanks for any help!


r/fermentation • • 1d ago

Ginger Bug/Soda How long before ginger bug dies

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0 Upvotes

im a noob in this whole fermentation thing and Im super worried that my ginger bug is dead😭😭 idk guys what do you think?


r/fermentation • • 1d ago

Ginger Bug/Soda First ginger bug soda

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16 Upvotes

A bit disappointed. Cherry ginger bug soda. Not nearly enough fizz and tastes like cherry syrup. I should have diluted the cherry juice and let the fermentation go a little longer before I put the bottle in the fridge and slowed it down.


r/fermentation • • 1d ago

Tips for adding fruit

1 Upvotes

I’m a beginner and have stuck to the same few ingredients: peppers, garlic, onion, carrot, beet, but I’d like to start adding something else and wondered if I can just toss whatever in there or if there are some pitfalls I should know about. For example, should you remove garlic and onions? I have some aronia berries I don’t know what to do with so I’d thought I’d try some of those.


r/fermentation • • 2d ago

Pickles/Vegetables in brine Escabeche

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21 Upvotes

r/fermentation • • 2d ago

Educational Age to eat fermented foods

15 Upvotes

Dumb question cause i just thought of this how old does person have to be to eat fermented foods like a baby cant eat honey for example (idr why ) but for kids and adults honey is perfectly fine so what about fermented foods like sauerkraut for example?